Does the February 17, 2009 switching from analog to digital mean that HD will be broadcast through the cable?

Question

And people won't need an HD box to get HD?

I'm really confused on this subject someone help me....

Answer 1

Unless you have hd cable you have to get a special box to make it work.

Answer 2

If you want cable to give you HD channels, you'll need an HD receiver to do it.  With a regular receiver, you'll get standard TV.  That's because the cable companies must provide analog programming until at least 2012, so they'll be using their own converters rather than you having to buy one.  Same with satellite services.

You'll only need a converter if you intend to use an over-the-air antenna to pick up the stations.  Contrary to the hype, no special 'digital' antenna is required.  There are no such things as digital or analog antennas, no matter what they claim.  I've been a broadcast engineer since the 1970's.

Answer 3

no, it just means that everything will be digital.....

hd is different

it only effects those old television sets........

Answer 4

Most stations are now broadcasting Digital signal which is also the one necessary for HD---in fact I believe all of the newer set sold these days are HD capable-digital.

The signal received via cable or satellite is DIGITAL  if you have an HD set you will receive an HD picture---If you do NOT HAVE a digital (ie analog) set then you will still be able to watch TV (not hd--not digital) since the cable and satellite feed are both digital. [converter box not needed]

Should you be like me, analog TV's ON ANTENNAES only, then you wil be able to watch until Feb'09 when they shut off the analog signal everywhere !

So to overcome this I bought 2 digital converters which I have now attached to my analog tv's and am enjoying the digital signal presently being broadcast---this is NOT HD but it is DIGITAL and is considerably better than the analog reception I have been getting from the exact same antenna  up till now !

I have also recently bought an HD TV which I am wtching with and indoor digital power-amplified antenna---a weird looking rectangular  box 3"x6"x1½" on a stick standing up in my living room.

The reception on the new dig/indoor ant is marginal---the roof antenna feed is much better.